VIRGIN ROSE
ONCE UPON A TIME OFF THE COASTS OF CUBA...
BY THE MID-20TH CENTURY,
PEOPLE TRAFFICKING HAD SURPASSED BOOTLEGGING.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO THE USA ARE OFTEN ABANDONED ON LONE KEYS.
FROM THERE THEY MAY BE PICKED UP BY AMERICAN PATROLS OR FISHING BOATS...
OR NOT.
Come on, the ride is over.
Welcome to the USA.
Where even lumberjacks become presidents.
Welcome to the United States!
What? Did you expect to land by the Statue of Liberty?
Happiness awaits you.
Good houses, jobs, schools for your kids, democracy...
Go on, keep going, don't look back.
Straight ahead!
Have faith!
Keep going, you'll soon see the skyscrapers.
With luck they can found their own republic.
Okay, man all stations!
Let's go while it's still cool.
They got us, skipper.
Nobody gets me.
I'll buy you all breakfast in Havana.
Full speed ahead. Hold course.
We're in Cuban waters, brothers!
You've got it wrong!
Bastards.
We'd better surrender, Simon.
What?
What the hell are you doing, you fool?
What's the matter with you?
Nobody wants to get killed.
They aren't playing games. We're clean, let's surrender.
I can't believe my ears.
Hold course.
Don't shoot, brothers! We're good people.
God bless America!
God bless Eisenhower!
God bless the American people!
Shit, that almost hit me!
Fuck them!
Fucking gringos!
Get out of Korea!
Imperialists!
Faggots!
Tiger!
I got scared. I didn't mean to do it, Simon.
Are you in with them?
No, really. I swear I'm not!
Damn it!
Anyone who sells me out doesn't even get a bullet.
No!
Why don't you carry machine guns on board?
Like the Americans.
It was raining bullets.
If they hadn't turned up,
it would have been really boring.
How much do you get for each one?
Those folks aren't business.
Think big, Simon.
Think big.
How old are you?
Me?
Twenty-two.
Twenty but I'll be 21 soon.
You look 16 to me.
You should be at school.
I'm at the best school now.
The "Cristina".
That's why I left home
and came to Havana...
To be somebody.
To have a car like this one,
to find a pretty girl, pretty and preferably rich.
But money's not that important.
But love is.
Love.
Where are you from, boy?
Cabaiguan.
Know it?
Nice place.
But not on the coast,
and I like the sea.
From your accent, you sound Spanish.
Well, yeah... I'm from the north of Spain.
So what's the story?
My mother is Cuban,
my father Spanish.
That's a bad mixture.
Hold on.
We're almost there.
Can you sing?
It'll take your mind off things.
Watch the Mexican girls mambo,
so nice and tasty...
They move their hips and their shoulders
just like Cuban girls.
Watch the Mexican girls mambo,
so nice and tasty...
Shit!
They move their hips and their shoulders
just like Cuban girls.
What happened?
Give me a hand, Bembe.
- Are you hurt, Simon? - Help them!
Careful!
You go first.
Hold him.
You are my love l'm crazy about you.
Why deny
l'm in love with you,
with your sweet soul
that is pure feeling
with those dark eyes
and their rare sparkle
that controls me
and excites our love.
You are enchanted itself,
you are my dream come true
and spur me to love.
You are enchantment itself,
you are my dream come true.
You are my love,
l'm crazy about you.
Why deny
l'm in love with you,
with your sweet soul
that is pure feeling...
You are enchantment itself,
you are my dream come true.
Would anyone like more coffee or tea?
Very good, my dear.
Pass the rolls and the cake, please.
There isn't any salt, there's sugar.
- It's iodized salt. - Do you prefer milk or cream?
Where I come from we have different kinds of bread at breakfast time.
What time is the train?
Midnight.
- How are you? - Very well, thank you.
- What time is it? - Quarter past 5.
- It's quarter to 6. - How old are you?
Eighteen years, seven months and two days.
What about you?
Good morning, my boy.
It's good to see you up and well.
Breakfast at this hour?
Where's the famous strictness to punctuality?
Judge Alcantara was here last night
and we were up half the night telling stories.
We laughed and laughed.
Judge Alcantara? I bet you were laughing at something else.
No, really.
He's a wonderful man.
A real gentleman too.
He never forgets to introduce his friends.
I'm sorry.
Andres...
Madame. Bertrand Tourtoulou.
And her charming daughters.
Not all daughters. Some are nieces.
Olivia.
Gretel.
- Margarita. - Margarita.
Odette.
Who sings beautifully.
- I can sing too. - And eat fruit.
And you are...?
- Gilda, Simon. - Gilda.
And that's Elsa Maria,
a country girl who heard she had an aunt in Havana.
You see? Life is full of surprises.
But there's one missing.
Where is she?
In her room, as fickle and unsociable as ever.
That girl is impossible.
Marie says white coffee at breakfast gives her wind.
She's on a strict diet
of chocolate and ice cream.
And she says the vegetables you give her are donkey food.
Who said you could speak?
I'll call her down to breakfast with us.
You spoil her. She'll turn into a little brat.
Sit down, my dear.
How do you like your coffee? Black or white?
However you drink it, Madame. Tourtoulou.
Take your shirt off and I'll dress that wound.
Thank you for saving Simon's life.
As a reward you're invited to Elsa Maria's wedding.
Thank you but I don't...
Andres, you don't know your luck.
Not everybody gets invited to Madame's parties.
I mean, I haven't been invited.
You're both invited.
One thing though...
I want you looking smart since God made you both so handsome.
In Cuba, "handsome" has a different meaning than in Spain.
To Cubans, "handsome" means "brave", not "good-Iooking".
Madame speaks Spanish as well as French.
She learned it in Valladolid.
Did you wake Marie?
No, she wasn't in her room.
Not in her room?
She thinks she can do what she likes.
Marie's the jewel of the house.
She's the prettiest.
The prettiest
or the smartest?
I'm in no mood for games.
You spoil her enough as it is.
Never mention one woman's beauty in front of another.
Go and get ready.
Take a bath, we're going out.
Make yourself look smart.
Elections! At election time there's no point in buying the newspaper.
They just print the scoundrels' pictures and promises.
Maybe one day there'll be a government here not voted in with elections.
Hush, Simon. God might punish you if he hears you.
God should punish the people for voting for corrupt, unscrupulous men.
Simon, what did you do with that country girl
you brought in here to have her hair cut?
To delouse you mean.
She was a wild one. She tried to bite me.
I gave her hair a few snips and uncovered her face
and couldn't believe my eyes.
What lips she had! What eyes!
What an expression, you mean. She had the devil in her eyes.
I'd never seen the like.
Don't take too much off. Leave his hair bushy.
Here.
I brought four girls from Pinar that time.
She was the best one.
- I bet you promised her something nice. - A dress.
A dress?
And something else maybe?
Sometimes a promise is all it takes.
No, I bought her the dress.
I always keep my word.
I bought her lots of dresses.
But she was never satisfied.
Even Havana's too small for her.
She wants to go to New York
to open a fashion salon.
What would a country girl from Pinar know
- about fashion? - Or about New York?
That's what I'd like to know.
From soap operas on radio. From soap operas.
And how old is this girl, if I may ask?
Sixteen.
You've committed a crime if I may say so.
- I haven't touched her. - Really?
No.
I brought her here to be polished. To give her a future.
Do you know what a girl llke that is worth
once presented in society?
A fortune.
Look.
A real Prince Charming now.
The Prince of Cabaiguan.
Fire!
I would like to thank publicly
the wonderful woman
who has made this wedding possible.
Tonight,
when we sail away to be married by moonlight,
we shall think of you, Madame.
Please allow me.
Oh, thank you.
You're so kind. How thoughtful of you.
You really shouldn't have.
Is that the old fogey Madame found for the redhead?
Get things straight, Andres.
Madame doesn't "find" anyone. She just throws parties,
and the groom shows his appreciation.
Go and ask one of the girls to dance.
Wake up. Don't just stand there
gawping like some old woman.
Would you like to dance?
I've never seen the like.
She's beautiful.
Yes, Judge,
but she isn't quite ready.
She needs a few more lessons.
What do you mean?
She's ripe for the picking.
Who's the boy she's dancing with?
One of the houseboys. He runs errands.
A nobody.
Call at my office and we'll fix things.
Or I'll have you arrested.
I can always trump up some charge.
I'm afraid I can't at the moment.
I going on a trip.
I wanted to thank you for saving the boat.
And my sponsor, of course.
Cat got your tongue?
I think I've seen you before.
No.
We just met now.
If you want to see me again, don't forget that.
Then I won't forget.
It was just there, right?
Just there.
Near my heart.
Your heart's in a strange place.
- Say it again. - What?
Heart.
I love the way you talk.
I love that Spanish accent of yours.
Simon, they're all asking for girls.
They all want to get married.
You're going to have to go back to Pinar sooner than you think.
And I want to marry you but you never say yes.
Shall we dance?
No, ask one of the girls.
I'm too old for that.
You'll never be too old.
I won't let you get old.
Jose Miguel!
You know why I've got him?
To eat at Christmas.
He's Our Lady of Charity's bird.
And I asked her to send you.
But I didn't know you were a bit stupid.
You'd better wake up and fast.
That's the second time I've heard that tonight.
Where is she?
Who?
Marie.
I was going to introduce you... but by chance you asked her to dance.
She went that way.
Are you avoiding me?
Me?
I've been calling for a week and you're never around.
Serves you right.
You promised to take me sailing and you went without me.
I didn't go sailing, I was working.
Look.
I've brought you a present.
You didn't give me a chance...
- Is it gold? - Of course it is.
- How many carats? - 24.
As pure as gold gets.
More carats and it'd... explode.
But I told you I wanted to go shopping.
I want to go out.
All right. I promise.
But you're not being a good girl.
All Madame does is complain about you.
She says you're the only one who won't eat aubergines.
Tell Madame to stick her aubergines up her arse!
Wasn't it all lovely?
Very nice.
Get that boy out of here.
He's like a cat among the pigeons.
Take the key and go. And have fun.
I don't know what you're waiting for to give that girl away.
Let me tell you something. I don't want her here.
Yes, I know. I'll give her away.
When?
No bedbugs any more.
- Which bed? - This one.
When did the beds in my house have bugs?
Good morning, Bembe.
Let's go, life awaits.
It looks like a palace.
And will be
a palace again some day.
With your help.
Another trip on Friday.
- This Friday? - Yes.
But I wanted to ask you...
Not to go.
What do you mean?
I'm okay now.
There's something important...
and I need someone I can trust to handle it.
What is it?
She needs to get some fresh air.
To be with people her own age.
To let off some steam.
Madame's putting too much pressure on her.
I prefer defending you from Americans.
Get someone else.
You don't understand.
I'm not asking you. I'm telling you.
No.
You're the one who doesn't understand.
I'm nobody's errand boy.
It's really important business.
Marie...
is meant for Judge Alcantara,
and he's the key to every business in Havana.
This is worthless.
What do you mean "worthless"? It's 24-carat gold.
And my grandmother is the Queen of England.
All right...
Give me 70 pesos for it.
I won't give you 1.
And these are letters of thanks
as you can see.
"I've managed to send my mother some money from my first wage.
Thank you don Simon. ""
No, thank you for your trust
and thank the brave sailors who risk
their lives alongside me for you to find a better life.
Another letter.
"My children have eaten hamburgers and French fries
for the first time."
Thank you for making this Asturian family's dreams come true.
If I have another son, we'll call him.
"Simon."
Give him the deposit in dollars.
You can pay the rest when we get to America.
It's a short trip.
You can take a look at the boat whenever you like.
Ready, captain. What's the course?
The same course as always. New York.
Hey.
Simon's here. As punctual as always.
I'm not wearing these.
Wear these, they're not so flashy.
No.
How can you like that man?
Who says I do?
Well, I like him.
I love that smell of his of boats, of petroleum...
Don't you, Gilda?
He doesn't even know I exist.
Simon couldn't come.
He asked me to go shopping with you.
Where shall we go?
Didn't the boss tell you?
Aren't you glad it's me instead of Simon?
Of course. I was only joking.
Anyway...
Your wish is my command.
You have to guess.
Pass me the cherries and the vanilla dust.
I always make them without vanilla.
Just pass me the vanilla dust, girl.
I want to see something across the road.
Where across the road?
Have you been told to spy on me?
The New York boat leaves...
Iet me see...
In 15 days' time.
Stopping over in the Bahamas,
then Miami, then... New York.
If you take the next one, you can go direct.
No, I want a reservation on that one.
Your name?
Josefa Romerales.
- Pardon? - Josefa Romerales.
Jo-se-fa...
- Ro-mer-al-es... - I'll pick it up on Monday.
I haven't got the money on me. I just wanted the reservation.
Well then...
We'll make the reservation on Monday, Josefa.
- Where have you been? - You think you're smart, don't you?
I bet you learned that in Pinar.
Never heard of the place.
Really?
It was where you met Simon.
And where did you meet him?
Doing business. We're friends.
This is too much. Help me finish it.
Don't you like the cherry?
It's what I like best.
That's why I leave it till the end.
Simon has no friends.
Well, I'm a friend of his.
It's just that...
What?
Do you know why he keeps you at Madame's?
Mind your own business. It's my life.
- Finished, Miss? - Yes.
- Enjoy your ice cream? - Yes, but there was too much vanilla.
He's going to sell you.
Like he did the redhead.
To Judge Alcantara.
Why are you telling me this?
Didn't you say you were his friend?
With friends like you he doesn't need enemies.
I should have realized.
You're Simon's spy. Or Madame's.
You brought me here to question me.
Why should my life matter to you?
Well, it does.
Because you matter to me.
39th St., Colon and Tulipan.
Don't go like this.
Madame!
It's the young lady again.
I'm so sick of her!
Asleep or awake, I wish you'd fall down the stairs!
Asleep or awake, touch me again and I'll kill you!
Look at me, Madame.
Fucking bitch!
- Morning, Bembe. - Morning, Simon.
- Aren't the girls up yet? - They haven't been to bed.
This house needs a man.
- Aren't there enough already? - I mean a master.
Ah, the smell of petroleum. He's here.
Simon, what are those birds? Are they for Madame?
Yes. They're for her.
You love Madame so much.
- Go and have breakfast. - Simon. She's the one who sings.
Yes, Gretel. No, Gilda!
What time do you call this, sleepyhead?
The birds will help you wake up.
Next time give the cheap stuff to Madame.
What's got into you?
Explain.
How do you know it's cheap?
I found out.
You found out, did you?
You went out without my permission.
You don't trust me any more.
This...
It was just a test to see if I could really trust you.
Now I know.
- You want to sell me to that slimebag. - What slimebag?
Everybody here knew, except me.
They tell you things like that because they're jealous.
Because you're prettier than all of them put together.
I'd never do anything to harm you.
You promised to take me out and sent somebody else.
Was Andres mean to you?
No.
But you were mean.
You lied to me.
All I do is work, Marie.
To buy you the things you like.
To take you to New York.
Madame says your expenses have been high lately.
That you'll only sleep between llnen sheets and use expensive soaps.
I don't know...
- French? - Of course, my love.
Smell it.
The truth's in the smell.
Did you bring Madame anything?
What do you think?
Only for you.
I can see myself in your eyes.
But I look tiny, tiny, tiny.
Shall I kiss you?
A kiss like the ones Madame teaches us to do.
I have to practise.
No, Marie.
That's enough.
- Is Madame your woman? - Only sometimes.
Men need...
You wouldn't understand.
Wouldn't understand?
What are you doing?
It is true virgins are worth more?
How much is the Judge paying?
That's enough.
You're here.
Oh, Simon.
My poor Simon.
Americans to starboard!
I've brought you a present.
The best there is.
Thanks, but I don't...
The way things are, a man llke you should carry a gun.
Shit!
Fancy a beer?
I've got a present for you too.
What the hell's this?
Nose-hair scissors.
How did it go with Marie?
Fine.
What about your trip?
No problems.
Did she say anything to make you think she planned to leave?
Did she let anything slip out to...?
To what?
Did she use a phone, was she on her own at all?
Not that I remember.
She's so smart, the little wretch.
Where did you take her?
To an ice cream parlour.
What flavour did she ask for?
Vanilla.
Vanilla? Why vanilla?
Are you having me on?
Did she ask about me or Madame?
No. We talked about normal things.
Marie's a good girl, Simon.
Marie is not a good girl.
She's...
Go on.
She's like me.
Made of the same stuff.
Don't trust her.
Or you either then.
Can't you talk about anything else?
Seems like you're in love with her.
Fire!
We'll open a casino at the beach house.
Gambling, music, drink...
And girls.
The prettiest in Cuba. You said it yourself.
It looks like a palace.
I've been thinking.
We'll go halves.
That's not right. What'll I be putting into it?
Yourself, and you do me a favour.
Isn't that enough?
No, I couldn't allow that. I could be your assistant.
You have two choices... 50-50 or nothing.
Why should you do something like that for me?
Why?
Because I need someone I can trust.
Like a brother.
It's being together that counts.
Through thick and thin.
How did you get in?
Did anyone see you?
No.
I have a message from Simon.
For Madame?
No, for you.
He wants to take you sailing. To New York.
A change of air...
Do you think he suspects us?
I suspect things too, Marie.
You haven't told me everything.
Yes,
I do want to get away.
From this place.
With you if I can.
Otherwise...
Otherwise what?
You know I'll take you wherever you want.
You must go.
Go on. Go.
Go.
You must go... but not right now.
That's enough.
Our Lady said she'd send me the man I asked for.
And that he'd have two moles under his nipple.
Have you got two moles there?
How did you know that?
The sea is clean.
And limpid and pure, llke a newborn baby's soul.
Wait!
They can drink when they get off.
Or they'll need to pee down there.
You think I'm a ghost?
I've always been with Simon. And I always will be.
Hold on a minute.
Hold on.
You'll be playing in the Big Leagues soon!
Bye, champ.
What's up, Andres?
We're about to do some big deals
and you don't look happy.
What are you thinking?
I don't know.
It's all been so fast.
Yes.
But soon we'll be don Andres and don Simon in Havana.
Very important men.
We'll be in the papers, llke Marlon Brando.
Any problems, just tell me.
It's 50-50 in everything.
There is something bothering me.
Go on.
If I can help...
No-one can help.
Then don't bother to tell me.
Good luck.
Odette, come and try something on.
The cake's for Simon.
It's his birthday tomorrow.
But that wasn't what I wanted to talk to you about.
Not quite ready. Whip it more.
Actually...
I wanted to tell you a story.
I came from Camaguey to take the Paris liner.
I'd run away from home.
My parents didn't understand me.
But when I got to Havana...
when I got to Havana I had some very bad luck.
The Paris liner, the "Saint Etienne",
had already set sail.
Taste it now.
Enough sugar?
It all came tumbling down.
Just imagine...
I didn't know anybody in Havana,
and to make matters worse, the heat was terrible.
And then...
a gentleman at the bar
said...
"Soursop juice, young lady."
And suddenly I felt scared
and I looked to see who was poking their nose into my business
and he looked me right in the eye
and said it again.
"Soursop juice, young lady."
Suddenly I started trembling all over. Shivers started running
up and down my spine.
I looked at him.
I looked at him and I knew
I'd never go to Paris.
And that I'd let that man
do anything he wanted with me.
Have you ever felt shivers up and down your spine?
And that was that.
My journey ended there.
Yours is just beginning.
It's now or never.
What is?
Getting away from here.
Together, you and I.
Madame will lend us the money.
Just like that?
Nothing in return?
No, not exactly.
She loves "soursop juice".
And that's why she'll Iend us the money?
New York, Marie. We're going to New York.
Madame's lending us the money.
And she'll be rid of you.
Could it be a trap?
There's a boat next week.
We'll be on it.
I can't take you, Jose Miguel.
Don't be frightened.
Or do I frighten you?
I said I'd take you sailing and here I am.
I've come for you.
Get dressed.
We're leaving.
I'm taking you on a trip.
That's what you always wanted, right?
But first, tell me something.
Where did those birds come from?
Not a gift from some boy, I hope.
Simon, you gave them to me.
Me? But they're not the same ones.
No!
Leave me alone!
Marie, who's with you?
What's the matter, Marie?
Open the door!
Open up!
- Smells like petroleum. - I saw him come up.
Marie!
What's the matter?
What are you all looking at?
Don't look at me.
I never thought this would happen to me.
Let her go.
Forget the judge and all the rest.
Let her go with the boy.
I can't.
Why can't you, my poor Simon?
Why?
I've loved her since the very first day.
Heart and soul.
You brought her here to sell her.
Don't you remember?
I lied to you. Lied to myself.
I never...
I never intended to sell her.
I've always loved her.
And I never realized until Andres came along.
As a token of my devotion,
I offer you my eyes, my ears,
my tongue, my heart, my whole being.
Oh, Virgin Mary,
guard and keep me as your own.
And grant my wish.
Let Simon have no peace neither asleep nor awake.
Visit terrible diseases upon him.
Let his body be covered with pustules and his eyes weep.
Send him syphilis and gonorrhoea
and make him go blind.
What did you ask for?
How did you find me?
The Virgin Mary told me.
The girls.
She grants me everything I ask.
I don't want to be good.
I want to be bad. And you must be bad too.
Don't talk like that, my love.
It's not your fault.
Simon will pay for this, I swear.
You know what he wanted when he came to me?
- To make love to you. - No.
He came to make sure I was still pure.
Shut up.
- He checks... - Shut up!
Please.
He likes to check out his little treasure.
To know if I'm still intact.
Marie, don't, please.
I need you on board tomorrow.